Apples To Apples Night

What a crazy busy weekend we had with the 5K.  We had this meeting planned at the retreat but we didn't know how grateful we would be that we had an easy low key night planned.  The girls and the leaders had a great time and there was much laughter (and competition!).  Wendy planned a yummy craft for us.  The Apple Pudding was soooooo yummy!  And of course no night would be complete without a MOPShop!  Happy shopping!

Such a yummy dessert!

Mommy, get off my new toy!

The Great Pumpkin 5K

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first 5K fundraiser.  It was a beautiful day.  Thank you so much to April Heinrich and her team who pulled off an amazingly organized, well run race.  We are so thankful to everyone who walked, ran, or helped in any way to make this event a success.

Healthy Meal Ideas - October 11th

We had another great meeting.  Quite a few girls were missing but we had fun connecting with everyone that did make it.  I would really like all the colds and sicknesses to go away though.  I missed our girls! 

Thanks to Tamika for joining us and sharing quick and easy meal ideas.  Also, Colleen Mason and a couple other leaders from La Leche League of Kankakee County shared information on breastfeeding.  My favorite tip:  IT'S FREE AND ALWAYS AVAILABLE! 

Our next meeting is October 25th.  Mark your calendars now.  It's another MOPShop night!  We'll be hanging out and playing games after dinner.

Thank you to our guest speakers from Kankakee Valley Adult Reading & Literacy Program

Thank you to Connie and Star for joining us last night.  The girls had fun learning about the importance of reading and how much fun it is for the kids.  They also learned about the support KVARLP can provide in preparing for your GED, etc. 

Last night was also our first MOPShop!  Our girls can shop!  One look at the back hallway brought back memories of Black Friday shopping at Walmart.  Way to shop girls!

Literacy Meeting & MOPShop

You don't want to miss this meeting.  Connie Bland and Star Olson from the Kankakee Valley Reading & Literacy Program are going to talk about the importance of reading to your kids and reading for yourselves too. 

Our MOPShop will be open for the first time this year and we have lots of new items for you to buy.  Lots of NEW clothes and books and toys, too much to list. 

Our Menu for 9/27/11

Taco Bar

Our big fundraiser is right around the corner.

Have you signed up for The Great Pumpkin 5K yet?  Only another week to register for $15 and guarantee a t-shirt. 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Great-Pumpkin-5K/241750962513941

Tupperware Fundraiser

Karen Parkison is "hosting" a Tupperware fundraiser for us.  If there are any items on the sheet below you can contact us and we'll get it ordered for you.  The price is located below the picture (not the price in the brown box).  If you'll see Karen or Lori Vincent in person you can pay them directly this week and they will deliver your order.  If not, please send your order to teenmops@theadventurechurch.com and we can arrange for payment.  Karen will be closing the party next Tuesday the 27th.  Last minute orders can be dropped off during our meeting (5:30-7:30) at Adventure Christian Church.

2011-2012 Kickoff

It was great seeing so many of our girls back and meeting some new friends as well.  21 girls attended the first meeting!  The most we ever had last year was 14!!!  Way to go!  We are all so very excited for this year.  Our first meeting was fun even though we mostly got a lot of details out of the way, registration forms, introduction of leaders, etc.  We have a new check in computer that will make things easier once we get the hang of it.  We have several new leaders.  We have lots of new volunteers ready to hold babies or help in any way.  It's going to be a great year.  If you didn't make it to our first meeting mark your calendar for September 27th so you don't miss our next one.  We can't wait to see you!  And don't forget The Great Pumpkin 5K on October 22nd!!!

An experience to remember

The World Vision Experience is at Cornerstone Church through Tuesday night.  If you are able you should go.  It was very moving and puts your life and inconveniences into perspective.  For our teen moms you can earn $15 MOPSbucks for going but honestly anyone who has the opportunity should go.

http://www.worldvisionexperience.org/minisite/minisite.aspx?id=229

Not sure Teen MOPS is for you? Here's what some of our girls are saying...

“Teen MOPS means a lot to me.  Getting pregnant at 16 was the scariest thing that happened to me and then I found out I was having twins.  Teen MOPS is so great, it’s a safe place where teen mothers can get together and enjoy themselves.  It really means a lot to me that there are people in the world who can find it in their heart to support people like me.  Thanks so much Teen MOPS!!” -Rachel

“I've learned a lot of things at teen MOPS. One of the things that I've learned is that I'm not alone, there are people out there going through the same stuff as me. Another thing I've learned is that parenting is easier then it looks. Teen MOPS has helped me get through times when I didn't have things. They helped me physically and emotionally. I've grown up a lot since I joined teen MOPS.” – Katelyn

  “What teen MOPS meant to me.... going to teen mops was such an amazing experience. Knowing that there are other teenage girls going through the same issues as me to talk and share stories with without being judged. It is a great short get away (even though the babies are in the next room) to just have me time and know that my children are being taken care of. The leaders and wonderful women who love all of us and want the best for us and will help whenever is needed. The girls grow friendships and help each other whenever needed and always willing to help a hand. Knowing that there is a group that you can go to and get advice without it being a lecture is the best feeling. I love this group!” – Amanda

 “TeenMOPS, to me, is a warm safe environment that I know I can count on. I love going to the meetings because I know if there's anything I need to talk about, I can talk there. Or if I'm having any problems, I know my leaders and peers are willing to help in any way they can. TeenMops has helped me not only with supplies, but knowledge about safely raising my daughter.” – Breanna

 “I’ve come to appreciate Teen MOPS very much.  It has helped me in so many ways.  It has helped me socially and has given me a sense of comfort knowing there are other girls in my position.  I loved my MOPS moms as well.  They have done so much for us girls by helping give diapers and a MOPShop (a store to buy items for kids and moms).  The support us young moms in many ways we need.  They have shown me that we are not alone in this and have given us great guidance like we were their own.  I can’t wait for next year.”  - Danielle

  “To me Adventure Teens MOPS is my world. After finding out I was pregnant I was forced to drop out of college, then after my grandparent kicked me out I was completely alone with no one to turn to. Around my eighth month of my pregnancy I moved in with a family friend who turned me onto teen mops. After attending my first meeting I was hooked. Teen Mops provided me a place where I wasn’t judged or looked down on for being a young mother I was accepted as I was. It provided me with a safe positive environment where I felt like everything was going to be ok. I was surrounded by girls in my similar situation and with the strength and guidance of our fearless leaders I was able to regain a lot of the confidence I had lost. I am now back in college finishing up my full time summer semester with a 4.0 GPA working around 30 hours a week a subway, and I have a happy healthy five month old girl named Lily (who is 100% breastfed). Without Adventure Teen Mops I don’t know that I would get my confidence back to leave the house, but look what a little love and understanding can accomplish. Thank You Adventure Teen Mops. Thank You Lori for taking your crazy idea and making it an awesome reality.” - Jackie

The Great Pumpkin 5K

Please join us for our 5K Run to benefit Adventure Teen MOPS!!!  Grab some friends and your running (or walking shoes) and get ready for a scenic race along the Kankakee River.  For more information or to register click on the link below or check us out on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Great-Pumpkin-5K/241750962513941?sk=wall

Saturday, October 22nd
9 a.m.
Kankakee River State Park

For more information:    The Great Pumpkin 5K